Early Modern Drama and the Theatre of War - Militarism, Conflict Disruption in Plays of Shakespeare His

This volume explores the disruptive effects of militarism, war and social unrest in early modern drama. Engaging with Simon Barker's seminal work on dramatic representations of war and militarism, contributors highlight what often lies hidden beneath the surface of martial narratives, treating them as formative interventions in contemporary discourses, whether in justifying war, excluding dissident voices or shaping cultural identities. Discussions include new examinations of militarism, the figure of the soldier and early modern theories of war in Shakespearean tragedy, history and comedy, alongside antimasque and dramatic satire by lesser-known playwrights. The essays investigate how ideas of war underpin emerging concepts of gender, leadership, marriage and the family, as well as the continuing mobilisation of Shakespearean drama in the context of modern armed conflict.

About the author

Hilary Hinds is Senior Lecturer in English Literature at Lancaster University.

Product details

• Authors: Bronwen Hinds Price
• Assisted by: Hinds Hilary (Editor), Price Bronwen (Editor)
• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 28.10.2025
• EAN: 9781526184344
• ISBN: 978-1-5261-8434-4
• No. of pages: 240
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Art > Theatre, ballet; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political administration; FICTION / War & Military, LITERARY CRITICISM / Shakespeare, DRAMA / Shakespeare, ART / Performance, Theatre Studies, Literary studies: c 1600 to c 1800, Shakespeare Studies & Criticism, Theory of warfare and military science, Theory of warfare & military science, Literary studies: plays and playwrights, Literary studies: c 1400 to c 1600, Relating to Shakespeare / Shakespearean